Open end wrench with slidable jaw insert



Aug. 3, 1965 w. A. DAVIS 3,198,041

OPEN END WRENCH WITH SLIDABLE JAW INSERT Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. 5 /4 f 54 56 32 60 62 /2 Wilbur A. Dav/s I A I Z INIIINY'OR l///1 L I I BY @226 36" 50 46 5a 30 /0 1965 w. A. DAVIS 3,198,041

OPEN END WRENCH WITH SLIDABLE JAW INSERT Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Pi .9 I 80 Wilbur A. Davis IN VliNTOR.

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United States Patent 3,198,041 OPEN END WREN 1H WITH SLIDABLE JAW INSERT Wilbur A. Davis, RFD. 1, Mahomet, Ill. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,698 6 Elaims. (Cl. 81129) This invention relates to a novel and useful open end wrench, and more specifically to an end wrench which is particularly well adapted for engagement with hexagonal nuts and bolt heads, etc., and includes means by which the end wrench is semi-automatically adjustable to various nut and bolt sizes. The open end wrench of the instant invention comprises an improvement over the wrench disclosed in my US. Patent No. 3,062,079.

, The open end wrench of the instant invention is very similar to the end wrench disclosed in my above prior patent. However, it is constructed in a manner whereby the application of forces to the handle portion of the wrench during its use to turn a nut or bolt will result in the slidable jaw insert beingv shifted in a manner to clampingly engage the nut or bolt between the stationary and slidable jaws of the wrench.

Many different types of adjustable jaw wrenches have heretofore been designed. However, most of these prior devices have been constructed in a manner whereby the jaws of the wrench may be spaced apart a distance loosely receiving the nut or bolt which is to be turned therebetween. While other adjustable jaw wrenches have further included means by which the adjustable jaw may be moved in a manner enabling the jaws of the wrench to clampingly receive a nut or bolt therebetween, the clamping mechanisms of these types of wrenches have had to be adjusted prior to the wrench being utilized to turn a nut or bolt.

The main object of this invention is to provide an open end wrench with a slidable jaw insert constructed in a manner whereby as the force directed upon the handle of the wrench is increased to turn the nut or bolt engaged between the jaws of the wrench, the clamping engageto turn the latter to loosen or tighten the nut or bolt with which it is engaged.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end .wrench with a slidable jaw insert including means for resiliently urging the sliding jaw insert toward a position opening the jaws of the wrench whereby a nut or bolt to be engaged therebetween may be readily positioned between the jaws whenever the wrench is not being used to turn a bolt.

Yet another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide an open end wrench with a slidable jaw insert including means by which the sliding movement of the jaw insert in each direction may be adjustably limited.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an open end wrench which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction, and easy to operate so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and in operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the open end wrench of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but shown with the slidable jaw insert in an exploded position;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the end wrench illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and being utilized to tighten the hexagonal nut with which it it engaged, parts of the slidable jaw insert being broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIGURE 1; I

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of end wrench constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the center or" one end of a modified form of wrench illustrated in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9-9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a still further modified form of end wrench constructed in accordance with the present invention, portions of the body and slidable jaw insert thereof being broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 11 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 12-12 of FIGURE 10.

With attention now directed more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURES 1-5 in particular, the numeral 10 generally designates the end wrench of the instant invention. The wrench 10 includes a body or handle portion 12 and a pair of head portions generally referred to by the reference numerals 14 and 16. The head portions 14 and 16 are disposed on opposite ends of the handle portion 12 and are identical in structure. Therefore, only the head portion 14 will be specifically described hereinafter.

The head portion 14 includes a stationary jaw 18 including a first gripping surface 20 and a slidable jaw generally referred to by the reference numeral 22 including a first gripping surface 24 which parallels the grip ping surface 20.

As can best be seen from FIGURE 2 of the drawings the head portion 14 also includes a second stationary jaw 26 including a bearing surface 28. The slidable jaw 22 is generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes a pair of generally parallel legs 30 and 32 interconnected by means of a bight portion 34. Theinner surface 36 of the bight portion 34 is substantially planar and disposed in sliding surface-to-surface contacting relation with the bearing surface 28 when the head portion 14 is assembled. In addition, it will be observed that the opposite sides of the head portion 14 have a pair of wide grooves 38 formed therein in which the legs 30 and 32 are slidingly received. The bight portion 36 does not to. V extend the full width of the legs 30,. and 32so as to be receivable in the throat 40 defined between the two sta tionary jaws 18 and 26.

The line of rectilinear movement of thesliding jaw 22 defined by the grooves-3g8 is slightly inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body or handle portion 12 and it may be seen that the first gripping surfaces 20 and 24 of the stationary and slidable jaws 18 and 22 are of'movement ofthe slidable jaw 22. The bight-portion 36, also defines a second gripping surface 42 and it may be seen that the second gripping surface 42 is in- 'clined relative to the line' of rectilinear movement of the sliding jaw 22 in the opposite directionand an amount equal to approximately two to three times the inclination of the first gripping surfaces relative to the line of movement of the sliding jaw 22.

The head portion 14 has an elongated slot 44 formed" therethrough and it will be noted that the slot 44 generally parallels the grooves: 38, In addition, the legs 30 and 32 have a pair of aligned bores 46 and 48 formed therethrough, the bore 46 being threaded and the bore 48 being tapered.

inclined aboutvl in one direction relative to the line 'Although the surface 42' ould be disposed at right angles to thedirection ofimovement of the slidable jaw 22, if the surface 42 were so inclined, the surface/v24 would be inclined in the opposite direction relative tothe direction of movement of'theslidablejaw 22 and therefore movement of the slidable jaw member to the left as viewed in FIGURE 3 of the drawings would tend to reduce the spacingbetween the surface 24 and the surface which of course must substantially parallel the surface 24. Accordingly, inasmuch asthe surface 24 must be inclined appreciably relative to the direction of movement of-the slidable jaw 22 in order that sliding movement of the jaw 22 will appreciably change the spacing between the surfaces 20 and '24, the inclination of the A generally rectangular slide or abutment 50 is slidably disposed inthe slot-4 4 and has a bore 52 formed therethrough which rotatably receives the smooth shank portion 54 of a headed fastener 56 whose diametrically reduced and externally threaded terminal end portion 58 f is threadedly engaged in the threaded bore 46 A compression spring 60 is held captive in the slot" 44 between the legs and 32 and is disposed between the slide 50 and the end wall62 of the slot 44.

In operation, the slidable jaw 22 is normally urged. to j an outermost position defined, by the front end wall 56 of the slot 44, in which position the gripping surface 24 is disposed its furtherest distance from :the gripping surface surface 24 relative to the direction of movement of the slidable jaw 22 should be, noless than 15 degrees. In

' addition, inasmuch as there must be an appreciable difference inrthe inclinations of'the' surfaces 24 and 42 relative to the direction of movement of the slidable jaw 22, it has-been found that thesurface 24 should not be inclined more than 20 degrees relative to the direction of movement of the slidable jaw member 22. Accordingly, the inclination of the. surface 42 relative to the direction'of movement of the slidable jaw 22 should be between two and three times the inclination of the surface 24 relative to the direction'of movement of the slidable jaw;22. Y

r If it is desired to turn the nut 68 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the

=wrench '10 should be rotated 180 degrees about its 1ongitudinal axis and again engaged with the nut 68 and swung in the same direction indicated by the arrow in '20. During engagement of the wrench 10 with the nut 68, the wrench 10 is advanced axiallyof its handle portion 12. toward the nut 68 whereupon the engagement of the nut 68 with the second grippingfsurface 42 willcause rearward movement of the slidable jaw-22.

As the slidable. jaw 22 continues. to moverearwardly, I

the nut 68 will be clamped between 'theJfirst gripping surfaces 20 and 22. Then, with the wrench 10fpositioned as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings and the handle portion 12 thereo fsswung 'in the direction of the arrow, the camming action of the nut 68 with/the second gripping isurface42- will be greater thanr'the carnming action of. the nut 68 on the surface 24' and result p in. the slidable jaw 22 being urged still furtherreai wardly and into a position more tightly clampingly'engaging the nut 68 between the stationary and slidable jaws 18 and Inasmuch as the surface-24b inclinedrelative to the direction of sliding movementof the slidable jaw 22 only one-half or one-third the inclination ofthe surface 42' relative to the direction of movement of theislidable jaw "22, the reactionary force of the nut 68 on the slidable, jaw 22 ,when the wrench 10 isv swung in the direction indicated by the; arrow in. FIGURE. 3 of the drawings,

will cause the nut 68, by its engagementwiththe surface 42, to have a greater tendency to slide the slidable jaw. 22 to the right as viewedin FIGURE 3' than the" tendency of the engagement ofthe nut 68- with the surface 24 to slide the slidable jaw 22 to the left as viewed'in- FIG- URE}. Therefore, oncethewrench 10 is engaged with V the nut 68 and longitudinally displaced toward: the nut' '68 so as to engage the nut 68 between the surfaces 20 and 24,-rotation of the wrench 10in the direction indi catedby the arrow in FIGURE 3 of the drawings will tend to prevent the slidable jaw 22 from sliding to the 1 left as viewed in FIGURE 3 of the drawings" and to thus reduce the possibilitythat the wrench 10 will slip about the nut 68 w 5 t V, in the legs 30' and 32,

7 FIGURE 3 numeral 10 many structural respects to they end wrench 10, identical 12 through the grooves 38.

Accordingly, whenusing the wrench lO to either tighten or loosen the nut 68, the gripping surface 24should be in advance of the gripping surface 42 in the direction of rotation of the head portion'14.

With. attention now directed to FIGURES 6 through 9 of the drawings, there will be seen a modified form of open end wrench generally. designated by the. reference Inasmuch as the'wrench 10' is similar in structural elements and features of the wrench illustrated in FIGURES,6-9 have been given prime numerals corresponding to the numerals given ;the same structural features of the wrench 10 illlustrated in FIGURES 1-5.

The ,wrenchlO has apair of elongated slots 70 formed I An opening .72 is formed through the head portion 14Qand opens outwardly of the body 7 The opening 72' is registered with the slots 70 and a threaded supporting member 74 is threadedly engaged in a threaded bore 76 formed in thebody 12' and includes a portion 78 which extends across the opening 72. A disk-like abutment or stop member 80 is threadedly engaged with'the portion 78 of the support; member 74and'projects outwardly of the opposite ends of theopening 72 and into the slots 70. Theslots 70 are slightly inclin'ed relative to the grooves 38';

Accordingly, it may be seen that'the abutment 80 rnay be adjusted to engage thesides of the slots 70 at predetermined points, spaced longitudinally therealong so astolimit movement of the slidable jaw 22 in either direction. 7 V

The wrench 10 also differs from the wrench It) in that the.bright portion 34 thereof is provided with a blind bore 82 which opens toward the open end offa blind similar to the wrench 10, the corresponding portions of the wrench have been given double prime numerals corresponding to those numerals given to like parts of the wrench 10.

The body 12" has an elongated passage 90 formed therethrough which'is substantially rectangular in cross section. The passage 90 acts as a substitute for the grooves 38 and 38' and it may be seen that the slidable jaw 22" includes a shank portion 92 which is substantially rectangular in cross-section and is slidably received in the passage 99. The shank portion 92 has an elongated longitudinally extending slot 94 formed therein and a fastener 96 whose head portion 98 is seated in a counterbore 100 formed in one side of the body 12 and whose externally threaded terminal end portion 102 is threadedly engaged in a threaded bore 104 formed in the other side of the body portion 12" includes a shank portion 106 slidably received in the slot 94. In this manner, the slot 106 defines limits of movement of the shank portion 92.

The shank portion 92 has a rearwardly opening transverse slot formed therein in whose forward end one end of a compression spring 110 is seated. The other end of the compression spring 110 is telescopingly disposed over the right angulated tip 112 carried by an anchor pin 114 which extends between the side walls of the passage 90 and through the slot 108.

From FIGURE 11 of the drawings it may be seen that the stationary jaw 18" and the slidable jaw 22" are each tapered toward their free forward ends. It is to be understood that the end wrench 10" can be of the double-ended type and that the operation of each of the wrenches 10, 10' and 10" substantially identical with respect to the inclination of the first and second gripping surfaces of the slidable jaws thereof, which second gripping surfaces are inclined relative to the line of movement of the corresponding slidable jaw approximately two to three times the amount the first gripping surfaces are inclined relative to the line of movement of the slidable jaws.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An open end wrench for gripping hexagonal nuts and bolt heads, etc., said wrench comprising a stationary jaw, a slidable jaw mounted for sliding movement relative to said stationary jaw, the free ends of said stationary and slidable jaws including opposing generally parallel first gripping surfaces inclined in the same direction at an acute angle relative to the line of movement of said slidable jaw, said first gripping surfaces being substantially planar, slidable jaw being also provided with a second gripping surface on its inner end inclined in the opposite direction relative to the line of movement of said slidable jaw and substantially 120 degrees relative to the first gripping surface of said slidable jaw, the inclination of said second gripping surface relative to said line being in the order of two to three times as great as the inclination of said first gripping surfaces relative to said line.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wrench includes a second stationary jaw opposing the first-mentioned stationary jaw and including a substantially planar bearing surface paralleling said line, said slidable jaw being generally U-shaped in cross-section and including a pair of generally parallel legs interconnected by means of a bright portion, the outer face of said bright portion comprising the first and second gripping surfaces of said slidable jaw, the inner face of said bight portion being substantially planar and disposed in sliding surface-tosurface contacting relation with said bearing surface, and said legs slidably engaging and embracing said second stationary jaw therebetween.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wrench includes a body portion from which said stationary jaws project, said legs having an elongated abutment member extending therebetween slidably receiving in a transverse slot formed in the body of said wrench generally paralleling said line, the opposite ends of said slot comprising limit stops engageable by said abutment member defining limits of movement of said slidable jaw.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wrench includes a body portion having an elongated passage formed therethrough paralleling said line, said slidable jaw including an elongated shank portion paralleling said line and slidably received in said passage.

5. An open end wrench for gripping hexagonal nuts and bolts heads, etc., said wrench comprising a stationary jaw, a slidable jaw mounted for sliding movement rela tive to said stationary jaw, the free ends of said stationary and slidable jaws including opposing generally parallel first gripping surfaces inclined in the same direction on the order of fifteen degrees relative to the line of movement of said slidable jaw, said first gripping surfaces being substantially planar, said slidable jaw being also provided with a second gripping surface on its inner end inclined in the opposite direction relative to the line of movement of said slidable jaw and substantially degrees relative to the first gripping surfaces of said slidable jaw whereby said second gripping surface is inclined relative to said line approximately three times the inclination of said first gripping surfaces relative to said line.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wrench includes a body portion from which said stationary jaws project, said legs also slidably embracing said body portion and having aligned elongated slots formed therein inclined slightly relative to said line, said body portion having an opening formed therein with which said slots are registered, and an abutment member mounted in said opening and shiftable transversely of said slots and including portions disposed in said slots for selective engagement with the sides of said slots at points spaced longitudinally therealong in response to adjustment of said abutment member transversely of said slots to limit movement of said slidable jaw along said line.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,180 10/24 Kisner 81-179 X 1,626,453 4/27 Cox 81--179 X 2,846,912 8/58 Day 8l179 X 3,062,979 11/62 Davis 81-129 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,674 1902 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN OPEN END WRENCH FOR GRIPPING HEXAGONAL NUTS AND BOLT HEADS, ETC., SAID WRENCH COMPRISING A STATIONARY JAW, A SLIDABLE JAW MOUNTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY JAW, THE FREE ENDS OF SAID STATIONARY AND SLIDABLE JAWS INCLUDING OPPOSING GENERALLY PARALLEL FIRST GRIPPING SURFACE INCLINED IN THE SAME DIREC TION AT AN ACUTE ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE LINE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDABLE JAW, SAID FIRST GRIPPING SURFACES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR, SLIDABLE JAW BEING ALSO PROVIDED WITH A SECOND GRIPPING SURFACE ON ITS INNER END INCLINED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE LINE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDABLE JAW AND SUBSTANTIALLY 120 DEGREES RELATIVE TO THE FIRST GRIPPING SURFACE OF SAID SLIDABLE JAW, THE INCLINATION OF SAID SECOND GRIPPING SURFACE RELATIVE TO SAID LINE BEING IN THE ORDER OF TWO TO THREE TIMES AS GREAT AS THE INCLINATION OF SAID FIRST GRIPPING SURFACES RELATIVE TO SAID LINE. 